Monday, April 9, 2012

9:40 AM

Former Dem U.S. Rep. Dave Obey this morning slammed an AFSCME attack on Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett that suggested he supported Gov. Scott Walker's collective bargaining changes, saying it was "just incredibly off the wall unfair."

AFSCME Council 24 posted a statement over the weekend acknowledging an Internet video it passed around to members "went over the top" in its criticism of Barrett and said it used poor judgment in sending it out. But the union leadership also continued to question Barrett's relationship with public employees while praising rival Dem Kathleen Falk, who the unions have endorsed in the guv's race.

Obey, who endorsed Barrett this morning, said he was pleased the rank-and-file's push back over the video prompted the apology and said the union continues to conduct a misleading attack on Barrett.

The unions have criticized him for utilizing the collective bargaining changes Walker pushed through the Legislature to help balance the city budget.

"I would simply say blaming Tom Barett for actions in the Milwaukee budget that were forced by Governor Walker is like blaming surgeon who does surgery on a patient after he is hit by a truck," Obey said.

Obey also implored Dems to hold themselves to a higher standard in this race and not "stoop to Governor Walker's tactics."

"If our criticism of Walker is to be credible," Obey said. "We have to demonstrate a higher degree of accountability and fairness in our dealings with each other in our primary."